Neighbors: No snowfall predictions yet

First, I recently heard from our local snowfall prognosticator Farrah Pomeroy. She said she will have her winter snowstorm prediction ready for us after the first snowfall. According to the National Weather Service in Taunton, we don’t have to worry about that this week. The good news is that she counts even the snowstorms that are really just dustings — deep enough to track a cat.

I also had to share my excitement over the latest addition to our family: daughter Christina and son-in-law Oliver’s new puppy Chloe. She is a rescue dog, part lab and part Great Dane. They got her from: www.SaveAMutt.info. Christina said they had a wonderful experience with the organization, which rescues dogs and raises them in foster homes until they are adopted.

But just remember, we also have two great resources right here in our own backyard: Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Leverett and Springfield and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter in Turners Falls.

If you are looking for a furry four-legged friend, check out one of the shelters above, and don’t forget about the older dogs.

Finally, my niece Kelly Gauthier of South Deerfield, is holding an “adopt-a-grandparent” event and is asking individuals and businesses to donate a minimum of $12 each.

She has chosen Poet’s Seat Health Care Center on High Street in Greenfield, because its staff and residents were so good to my mom, her grandmother Mary Fritz, for the five months she spent there before her death.

Kelly plans to supply its 55 to 60 residents, both men and women, with gifts of Mary Kay cosmetics and personal care items on Christmas Eve.

Kelly, who will make no profit on the fundraiser, as well as my entire family and I, would appreciate your help in making the holidays a little brighter for the residents of Poet’s Seat.

FROM NOW THROUGH NOV. 30, customers of Big Y supermarket will have the opportunity to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief at its supermarkets throughout Massachusetts, including Greenfield, of course. Donation containers will be found at all registers and the funds will support people affected by the typhoon that recently devastated the Philippines.

FRONTIER FOOTBALL PARENTS ASSOCIATION will hold its annual Turkey Raffle to support Frontier Football on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Polish American Citizens Club, 46 South Main St. in South Deerfield. There will be lots of great raffle prizes, including gift certificates, crafts, bottles of cheer and turkey dinners, so bring cash, get lucky and support the Red Hawks.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS I told you about last week that I’d like to just remind you about today. They are all happening on Saturday.

Next, St. James Episcopal Church in Greenfield will hold its Mistletoe Mart and Craft Faire from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church on Church and Federal streets.

Also, the Little Drummer Craft Fair at Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking.

Finally, Gill-Montague Senior Center will hold its Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center at 62 Fifth St. Proceeds will be used to support programs at the center.

FOR ALL OF YOU RUNNERS, there will be a Thanksgiving Day 5K race leaving Greenfield’s Highland Park at 9 a.m. Walkers and runners are telling me that it’s going to be a lovely way for them to start the day — and there will be plenty of time to get to a football game afterward.

Online registration is $15 until Nov. 25 and $20 on the day of the race. Registration that day will begin at 8 a.m. DIAL/SELF Youth and Community Services is sponsoring the Sachem Scamper and the money raised will benefit the nonprofit’s programs. For more information, visit: www.dialself.org/events.html.

GREENFIELD WINTER FARMERS MARKET is looking for workshop leaders, volunteers and sponsors. The market will be held at Greenfield High School on Dec. 14, Jan. 4, Feb. 1 and March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Workshop leaders will facilitate brief, free workshops about growing and preserving food. Volunteers will help before, during and after the markets. Sponsors will participate in Franklin County Week of Winter Fare events, including potlucks, recipe swaps and showing films.

Greenfield Winter Farmers Market is also looking for organizing committee members to help plan, coordinate and promote Winter Fare events.

For more information, contact: greenfieldwintermarket@gmail.com.

THERE ARE STILL A FEW FAMILIES waiting to be adopted by you for Christmas through the Adopt-A-Family program. If you’d like to make someone else’s holiday a little more festive and bright, contact Joan at 413-774-4107 or email her at: jwarms70@comcast.net.

GIRL SCOUT TROOP 40566 will host its 60th annual ski and skate sale, the longest running one in the country, at St. James Church in Greenfield this year.

On Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m., consignment items and donations will be accepted. The sale will be Dec. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Refreshments will be provided by the Slip and Slide Cafe.

The troop is based in Bernardston, with members coming from there, Greenfield and Guilford, Vt. The money raised will support a trip the troop will go on in June 2014.

I’ll tell you more about this at a later date.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.